Reborn: fated to my ex mate's brother, the Alpha king

Astrid

My fate had been delayed.

I bask in the helpless look on Derek's face after his brother used the pack law against him.

It makes me happy to know things are not going exactly the way he wanted for once in his life.

When Alpha Knox left I also turned around and walked away. As soon I was out of the hall and its vicinity, I ran, desperate in need of air.

I dragged in the cold soothing air into my lungs as soon as I got to the balcony. The air is cold but pleasing.

Things are moving fast and for the first time in my life. They are moving according to what I want. I won't try to think about the other option of being claimed by the other brother as the pack law states.

Why the hell would my dad basically sell me to the Knightdale pack itself? I knew he doesn't care about me, but still I'm his only child.

I have been treated by both family, pack people and someone I claimed to love.

I'm going to ruin Derek and I'll bring him to his knees.

But first I'll need to have a reason for people to believe me. I need evidence to completely ruin Derek that his own pack would have no choice but to let me go.

The face of Alpha Knox popped in my psyche. His look of indifference as he basically helped me. And how I felt safe with him just standing close to me. His smell and his touch that barely graced my skin.

“Here.” A glass of water was pushed at me pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked at the intruder, startled.

It was a maid, judging from her uniform, a little smile was plastered on her face. She looked strangely familiar.

I didn't accept the drink though. The betrayals I had gone through from the people I had trusted is enough for me to second guess everything and everyone.

“It's not poisoned.” She said again, her fierce looking eyes studying me. Seeing I didn't react, she brought the glass to her lips and took a sip before stretching it back for me.

She doesn't seem to care that I'm a princess. The care behind her fierce eyes was from her helping someone in need.

“Thanks.” I accepted the water and drank from it. We stood together in comfortable silence for a few minutes before I broke the silence, wanting to speak my heart out to someone that looked like she wouldn't judge me.

“He cheated on me.” I whispered, staring into space. “Amongst many other things.” I chuckled humourlessly.

“Cheaters should be castrated.” Her eyes burned in silent rage and despite myself I chuckled.

“Really?” I asked in amusement.

“Yes.”

“Thanks.”

Before I could say anything else, a shrill voice sounded behind us. I didn't need to check to know it was the witch who pretended to be my best friend while fucking my mate behind my back.

“Astrid!” She came towards us, her usual annoying pout on her lips. She looked extra giddy while a fake ass worried look was plastered on her face.

How did I miss all her fake concerns and forced smiles? How come I didn't realize she was a green snake under green grass?

“I trusted too much that's why.” a little voice behind my mind answered for me.

“I heard you rejected Alpha Derek.”

She searched my face for confirmation and I rolled my eyes.

“He's not an alpha yet. And he'll never be.” I scowled, folding my hands across my chest. Laila frowned.

“He’ll soon be though. All the elders support him.”

I raised my eyebrows at her, sensing she might have said the wrong things she quickly put in a fake smile.

“I support you though.” She moved closer, her heavy perfume filling my space.

“What did he do for you to reject him? You guys were in love. You wouldn't stop talking about this day for the last three years.” She asked cautiously. I know she wants to find out what I know but I'm done being a fool.

“He cheated.” I simply said.

“Ohh.” She swallowed nervously.

“Yes Laila. What do you have to say about that?” I pushed.

She smiled again, trying hard to pretend as if my words were not getting under her skin.

“I can't believe he would do that to you. I'm so angry at him. I'm so sorry, Astrid. I feel so bad.”

I shook my head, feeling another stab of pain hit my wounded chest. I can't believe I actually thought of her as a sister I never had.

“Stop. Stop your fake concerns.”

She looked at me, taken aback.

“I know what you did. You don't have to put on a facade anymore. You have been sleeping with Derek all this while.”

“I'm not.”

“Stop pretending, Laila.”

“Where did you hear that from? I'll never do that to you bestie.” She tried touching me but I waved her hand away.

“Please, I'm serious. I didn't do it.” Tears gathered in her eyes and it was rolling down her cheeks in seconds. If I didn't know better I would have sympathized and believed her.

“I swear on my late father's grave. I would never take your man from you because…” she looked up, a gleam of well compounded jealousy shining from her irises.

“Because he's yours.” She finished.

“Stop your fake tears. It won't work.” She didn't reply as her sobs doubled like she wanted people to hear her cries. Like she wanted everyone to believe her.

“You have been my only friend since we were teenagers. Trust me on this Astrid.

I scoffed.

“Why are you crying so much, when it's not your fault.” I quoted the last words.

“You accused me of something so vulgar.” She tried holding my hand again, but I snatched it away.

“I know I have been blind,” I glared at her, “ But I promise you Laila, not anymore. I won't be taken for a fool again.”

I turned to leave but her voice stopped me short in my tracks. She was cackling as she began clapping slowly, each clap sharp and deliberate. Clap... Clap... Clap...

I turned around to see her smiling through her tears.

“So… you found out. Finally.”

“What?”

“I was getting bored, you know.” She used a handkerchief to gently clean some of the tears on her face so she won't spoil her extra perfect make up.

“Excuse me?”

“I wanted you to know I took something of yours right under your nose. Someone you really care about does that hurt.”

“Why?” I asked in disbelief. She's actually insane.

“You always get what you want. It's always about you.”

“And that's enough reason for you to sleep with Derek? You are insane.”

“You've always been too naive to deserve someone like him. The prim and perfect princess.” She sneered. “Fate was in my favour when you became wolfless. You can't believe how happy I was that day. Best moment of my entire life.” She smiled eerily.

“I accepted you as family and you could only think evil of me. You were supposed to have my back not betray me like this.”

“No. Derek chose me. He decided you are not good enough. He picked me over you!” Her voice was high and demanding.

“Good luck then. You once again picked something I have used and discarded.”

Laila's lips thinned, her pale skin flushing with anger but she pasted her fake smile back on her face.

“You shouldn't act like a baby and reject Derek. He loves and needs you.” She said, sarcasm coating her every word.

Derek wants to use me to rise to the position of being an Alpha. I wanted to say back but I held it in.

“And how many times should I tell you bestie,”

She went down on her kneels.

“Don't call me that.” I said through gritted teeth.

“I didn't do it.” She said,

I furrowed my brows in confusion.

She started rubbing her hands frantically together as fresh tears ran down her cheeks again.

“Please believe me, Astrid. Please.”

“What are you…” My words were cut short by a much older voice and my stomach dropped as I realized exactly how this looked.

Laila crumpled on her knees, sobbing, and me standing over her like her villain.

“What's going on here?”